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The phrase he coined to describe Nicole Kidman’s electric performance in a 1998 production of The Blue Room – “pure theatrical Viagra” – has found its way into the lexicon.

Dame Judi Dench once sent him a messagethat read: “I’ve always rather admired you but now realise you are an absolute s---,” after a less than glowing review of Madame de Sade. “My affection and admiration for Dame Judi went entirely undimmed,” Spencer wrote afterwards, taking her missive in characteristic good humour.

"To have received such a letter from a woman now ranked as the greatest actor who has ever lived strikes me as an honour of sorts.”

Sarah Crompton, Arts Editor-in-Chief, said: “Charles Spencer’s honesty – both about the play in front of him and his own life – and the way he speaks so directly to his readers have made him the critic people turn to when they want to know what a play is really like.

“He has always said exactly what he thinks, and that is why people have come to trust him so much. We will all miss reading his reviews.”

Andrew Pettie, Head of Arts & Entertainment, said: "Charles has been a great servant of the Telegraph and its readers for many years. Passionate, vigorous and arresting: his criticism has been theatrical Viagra of another kind for generations of theatre-lovers."

The Telegraph's extensive theatre coverage will continue with a team of reviewers led by Dominic Cavendish, Spencer's deputy since 2000.